Justification In A Post Christian Society

Since the Reformation in the sixteenth century, Lutheran traditions have impacted culture and politics in many societies. At the same time, Lutheran belief has had an effect on personal faith, morality, and ethics. Modern society, however, is quite different from that at the time of the Reformation. How should we evaluate Lutheran tradition in today's Western multicultural and post-Christian society? Is it possible to develop a Lutheran theological position that can be regarded as reasonable in a society that evidences a considerable weakening of the role of Christianity? What are the challenges raised by cultural diversity for a Lutheran theology and ethics? Is it possible to develop a Lutheran identity in a multicultural society, and isthere any fruitful Lutheran contribution to the coexistence of diff erent religious and non-religious traditions in the future?

Since the Reformation in the sixteenth century, Lutheran traditions have impacted culture and politics in many societies. At the same time, Lutheran belief has had an effect on personal faith, morality, and ethics. Modern society, however, is quite different from that at the time of the Reformation. How should we evaluate Lutheran tradition in today's Western multicultural and post-Christian society? Is it possible to develop a Lutheran theological position that can be regarded as reasonable in a society that evidences a considerable weakening of the role of Christianity? What are the challenges raised by cultural diversity for a Lutheran theology and ethics? Is it possible to develop a Lutheran identity in a multicultural society, and isthere any fruitful Lutheran contribution to the coexistence of diff erent religious and non-religious traditions in the future?

How do we live out the message of Jesus in today’s ever-changing culture? The church is facing its greatest challenge—and its greatest opportunity—in our postmodern, post-Christian world. God is drawing thousands of spiritually curious “imperfect people” to become his church—but how are we doing at welcoming them? No Perfect People Allowed shows you how to deconstruct the five main barriers standing between emerging generations and your church by creating the right culture. From inspiring stories of real people once far from God, to practical ideas that can be applied by any local church, this book offers a refreshing vision of the potential and power of the Body of Christ to transform lives today.

Lutheran tradition has in various ways influenced attitudes to work, the economy, the state, education, and health care. One reason that Lutheran theology has been interpreted in various ways is that it is always influenced by surrounding social andcultural contexts. In a society where the church has lost a great deal of its cultural impact and authority, and where there is a plurality of religious convictions, the question of Lutheran identity has never been more urgent. However, this question is also raised in the Global South where Lutheran churches need to find their identity in a relationship with several other religions. Here this relationship is developed from a minority perspective. Is it possible to develop a Lutheran political theology that gives adequate contributions to issues concerning social and economic justice? What is the role of women in church and society around the world? Is it possible to interpret Lutheran theology in such a way that it includes liberating perspectives? These are some of the questions and issues discussed in this book.

The Ritschlian theology, a reaction against rationalism, was influential in the 19th and early 20th centuries. Ritschl held that God could be known only through the revelation contained in the person and work of Jesus. His theology stressed ethics and the community of man and repudiated metaphysics. Ritschl's most characteristic work is presented here and has been translated as 'The Christian Doctrine of Justification and Reconciliation'. In it Ritschl proposes understanding the doctrine of justification in interpersonal rather than juridical categories.

Philip Turner's contributions as a leader and thinker in Christian missions and social ethics are here engaged by an array of friends and colleagues. Turner's scholarly and clerical career spans a key era of transition in American and world Christianity, and his thinking and teaching about the intersection between ecclesial and civil life have encouraged several generations of Christian theologians and ministers. The essays in this collection touch on key topics in which Turner has been involved: cross-cultural missions, social relations in terms of family and procreation, ecclesiology, scriptural interpretation, the nature of the public good, and the character of a human life before God. Turner has been a pioneer, within the Anglican world especially, in promoting what has been called a "generous orthodoxy," and these essays by prominent theologians from America and the United Kingdom extend his witness in lively and fruitful ways.

The sixteenth-century Reformation transformed the church and society at large and its key theological insights had a concrete impact on the socio-political and economic spheres. Luther and his fellow reformers reconfigured Christian theology as they explored the liberating concept of justification by grace through faith as a core axiom of theological reflection. Lutheran and other churches of the Reformation continue to be empowered, informed and inspired by these insights, also with regard to their public role in today's societies. In light of the 500th anniversary of the Reformation, eminent theologians and scholars from all parts of the world offer their insights into the interaction between theological thinking, economics and politics in the twenty-first century. [Globale Sichtweisen auf die Reformation. Wechselwirkungen zwischen Theologie, Politik und Wirtschaft] Im 16. Jahrhundert fand eine grundlegende Transformation von Kirche und Gesellschaft durch das Ereignis der Reformation statt. Die entscheidenden theologischen Erkenntnisse hatten konkrete Auswirkungen auf sozio-politische und wirtschaftliche Bereiche. Luther und seine Mitstreiter schrieben die christliche Theologie neu, als sie das Konzept der Rechtfertigung durch die Gnade Gottes allein durch den Akt des Glaubens zur Kernaussage ihrer theologischen Überlegungen machten. Lutherische und andere reformatorische Kirchen werden nach wie vor durch diese Erkenntnisse bestärkt, geleitet und inspiriert, vor allem in Anbetracht ihrer öffentlichen Rolle in der heutigen Gesellschaft. Im Hinblick auf das Reformationsjubiläum teilen bedeutende Theologen und Gelehrte aus aller Welt ihre Erkenntnisse zu den Wechselwirkungen zwischen theologischem Denken, Wirtschaft und Politik im 21. Jahrhundert.

In this new book, Jngel explores and evaluates the role of justification in Christianity, and emphasises its centrality to Christian faith.Starting with the writings of Plato and Aristotle, Professor Jngel discusses the concepts of justice and righteousness. He considers the writings of leading Catholic and Protestant thinkers, examining in particular the work of Karl Barth. He argues that the doctrine of justification is a vital hermeneutical category.This is a provocative and ground-breaking contribution to theological discussions of sin and grace, by one of the world's leading contemporary theologians.